The Foothill baseball team entered the Northern Section Division II playoffs as the second seed, facing a familiar opponent in the third‑seeded Chico team. The stakes were high, with a championship berth within reach.
A Narrow Defeat
Early in the game, Foothill’s offense exploded for six runs across the first six innings, building a comfortable 6‑3 lead that seemed to put them on the cusp of victory.
However, the seventh inning proved disastrous. Chico rallied with five runs in that frame, flipping the scoreboard to an 8‑6 lead that the Foothill dugout could not recover from.
Manager Todd Buck acknowledged the sting of the loss, noting that his team must find a way to finish all 21 outs and maintain energy until the final out.
Pitcher Kayden Williams delivered a solid outing, throwing 6.1 innings while surrendering nine hits, seven earned runs and three walks, yet striking out seven batters. At the plate, Williams contributed a 2‑for‑4 performance with two RBIs and a double.
The lineup also shone with several multi‑hit efforts; Schwerdt, Colton Douglas and Brycen Thomas each collected three hits, while Brett Abrams added a timely RBI.
Looking ahead, Foothill is scheduled to meet No. 4 Las Plumas on Tuesday, May 19, with first pitch set for 10 a.m. at Pleasant Valley High School. A win would set up a potential showdown against the loser of the Pleasant Valley‑Chico matchup later that afternoon.
The team’s season statistics show Schwerdt posting a 0.72 ERA and 56 strikeouts, underscoring his role as a key arm for the upcoming super regional.